The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1887-03-30
Contributedl
Here's Your Government Mule.

When the Democratic party came
into power, it was after years of con-
test and denominations.
All the failings as weal as all the
shortcomings of the Republicans had
been held before the country; and on
the pledges of an uncompromising
fealty to the cardinal principles of the
Democratic party, the Democracy as
sumed the power.
Without entering on a discussion of
the several national questions which
have been bungled over, altered aud
amended until they are lost beyond
recognition, and until they have nearly
disrupted the Democratic party; with
out criticising hybrid administration
which has lost its Democratic identity,
and which can be made, as circumstan-
ces may rise, either Democratic or Re
publican, or q second termer; there
remains however, one question which
is the cosner stone of this Republic
and Of all Republics, without which
they cannot exist and which is the
only safeguard of all popular govern
ments-that is rotation in office.
If there is one thing which the
American people have looked on and
look on with disfuvor, and which they
have repeatedly crushed with their
heels of discontent-it is the long ten
IRE of office. SO much so that when
Grant, secure in bis popularity, under
took to thrust himself on the people
for third term, the country frowned
and growled until not even the Re-
publican party dared to disregard the
warning.
That rotation in Office is the founda-
ton OF the Democratic party, no one
can deny, that on it depend our liber-
ties, every sane American understands,
and that without it chaos and dissen-
sions will forever exist, history proves.
Otherwise Office being the aim, the
holder would sacrifice all to hold what
he has, even to the disruption of party
or country.
Questions of tariff, of finance, or of
improvements can be delayed aud
overlooked, hut the tenure of Office
will bear no trifling. 1t is the match
of the mine-touch it and no human
power can stop its upheavings.
To say that there is no harmony in
the Democratic party is calumny; it
is solid and united. The men whom
it has raised to office, are those who,
patterning themselves on their prede-
cessors, the Republicans, are trying to
lengthen their hold of power by threat
ening the party with disruption.
The Democratic party cannot and
will not divide. 1t has no sectional
aims nor personal purposes, which is
proven by its Legislative record as well
as by the general appropriations for
the country at large. If it has failed
in some points of government, it stands
unsnllied in its record for honesty
Next to patriotism this country ,e-
qnlres honesty, and up to now not even
Il breath of suspicion has furnished the
acts of the Democratic party.
However, this country also requires
security; a security commensurate to
its extent, to its resources, to its popu-
lation and to its wealth. 1t will.
therefore, always prefer to trust itself
to a party whose aims are entirely ma
tional and which frowns down all per-
Bnt if personality has to
be its anchor of safety, the country
will accept that party which will offer
it the strongest security in personal
capital, in general wealth or property
and in the administrative ability of
accumulation.
Let then the Democratic party take
heed. Its destin;es are in its own
hands-if its principles are to prevail
there can be no disruption. But if the
established teuets and principles Of the
party are to become subservient to the
aims of the men who hold their power
from it, then its mission is at an end,
They talk of disruption Once
rens'to pieces, where will they be9-
The party torn by them would bury
them in its ruins. Harmony! There
never was time when the Democratic
'anks were as solid and as united
Let MS hope that, in an evil hour, the
of office will not thwart the
ies1ines of the Democratic party. In
such an event the country will choose